Diabetics need to plan prior to undergoing surgery

Surgery can be a frightening prospect for just about anyone. However, for those who suffer from type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, a medical procedure can potentially cause a serious medical situation.

Being under anesthesia for an extended period of time can potentially lead to fluctuations in a person's blood sugar. Furthermore, most procedures require individuals to fast for several hours before their surgery, which can make glucose management even more difficult.

However, the American Diabetes Association states that through effective planning and attention to detail, diabetics can undergo surgery without worrying about potentially negative health effects.

One of the most important things to remember when undergoing a major medical procedure, the association states, is to communicate. Diabetics should alert their primary care physicians to their surgery and develop a plan for dealing with the situation. Additionally, individuals should make sure the facility doing the surgery understands their full medical history. Anesthesiologists may need to monitor a person's blood sugar for longer surgeries.

One of the most important steps for individuals to take when they are planning their procedure is to try to schedule their surgery for early in the morning. Diabetics' blood sugar levels are generally more stable in the morning, and there is less of a chance of either excessively high or low glucose.

The association states that the most important things for individuals to keep in mind before undergoing surgery is planning and communication. Surgery can be a difficult time in a person's life, but a diabetic doesn't have to go it alone. By consulting with their doctors before arriving for the procedure, it may be possible to have an effective plan in place for handling the situation.

Following this advice may make a surgical procedure much less of a scary prospect, as it allows a person with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes to set aside their worries about their metabolic condition. This may enable the patient to focus on healing properly after surgery.

Diabetes is a serious disease requiring professional medical attention. The information and recipes on this site, although as accurate and timely as feasibly possible, should not be considered as medical advice, nor as a substitute for the same. All recipes and menus are provided with the implied understanding that directions for exchange sizes will be strictly adhered to, and that blood glucose levels can be affected by not following individualized dietary guidelines as directed by your physician and/or healthcare team.